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“Uncommon Schools” Charter School Executive Will Be NYS Education Deputy
From gothamschools.org: John King, currently the managing director of an Uncommon Schools network here in the city, will next month become the State Education Department’s deputy commissioner focusing on elementary and secondary schools, the state announced today. In that job, he’ll “lead the state’s...
Obama’s Back to School Speech
Here is the full transcript of the speech that President Obama gave to students across the nation on September 8, 2009. The President’s school address has caused controversy and has been the subject of debate. President Obama has released the text in advance of airing the speech so that parents were able to determine whether or not their children...
President Obama’s Speech to the NAACP Centennial Convention
Originally published 01:54 p.m., July 17, 2009, updated 01:55 p.m., July 17, 2009 TEXT: Obama’s speech to NAACP White House transcript The following is a transcript of President Obama’s speech to the NAACP Centennial Convention Thursday night in New York: THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. What an extraordinary night, capping off an extraordinary...
NLRB Declares Civitas Teachers Private Employees
From: Catalyst Chicago—Teachers and staff at three Civitas charter schools are confident as they focus on their next steps to get their union officially certified. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled yesterday that...
Duncan’s Bribe Reveals Where Demand for Charters Originates
Covering recent charter school news, Jim Horn challenges the claim that charters are what the public is demanding. “Support for charter schools among Americans is waning, rather than waxing. In 2007 support for charters peeked at 60 percent favorable. In...
Are Charter Schools Public Schools?
On Monday May 18, 2009 Chicago Public Radio blogger and education reporter, Linda Lutton, wrote an interesting post on possibly the first union charter school in Chicago. She writes: The state has certified the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff as the bargaining unit for teachers at three...
Secretary Arne Duncan Testifies Before the House Education and Labor Committee
Thank you Chairman Miller, Representative McKeon, and all the members of the committee for the invitation to be here today. It is my pleasure to share with you President Obama’s plan for American education. It is a comprehensive plan that meets the educational needs of our youngest citizens from cradle to career. If we are going to be successful...
Mayor Bing Says Eliminating Democratic Control of Schools (“Change”) is Necessary; Ducan’s “Race to Wreck Education” Funds Used as Wedge Against Detroit Voters
AP’s Corey Williams reported yesterday: “Education Secretary Arne Duncan said … Detroit’s troubled public schools are ‘ground zero’ for education in the U.S. and promised federal help if leaders are willing to make necessary changes.” Detroit...
Teach for America to Replace Certified Teachers
From Teach for America to the KIPP charter schools to instructional innovations at colleges and universities, we have proven strategies ready to go to scale. — Secretary of Education Arne Ducan at the 91st Annual Meeting of the American Council on Education, February 9, 2009 According to a...
Veteran Chicago Teacher & Former Director of Safety Speaks Out on the Impact of the Recession, Ducan Policies
“My speculation is that the damage this recession will do to kids’ education prospects is far more than the positive good most changes in educational policies can produce.” – EDDRA email listserv participant.* Since the research basis for our sharings here requires some credentialing, allow me to post the following as (now retired) “Director...

